Squash Days of Summer

I never really understood the saying "the dog days of summer." According to Wikipedia, the name has little to do with canines and everything to do with the stars and hot weather. The dog days "get their name because the period this occurs is often during the time the star Sirius, known as the Dog Star (and the brightest star of all as seen from Earth), both rises after, and sets before, the Sun and is hence lost in the latter's glare. This period of invisibility, for Northern Hemisphere observers, is caused by the fact that the position of Sirius in the celestial sphere is well to the south of the ecliptic."

And I had images of panting hounds hiding out under the front porch in the cool dirt...

Being a gardener, a more appropriate name to me would be the "squash days of summer." During this same time, the squash plants begin to run and grow with vigor. You can almost see and hear the vines stretching out as they jump the garden boarder and make for greener pastures. Although they are known more for their long vines, huge leaves and quirky fruits, squash are definitely under-rated for their amazing flowers, which bloom best in the coolness of the morning.

Earlier this week, Grand Rapids temperatures climbed into the high 80's. While that's not all bad, dew points have also climbed into the 70's. That makes it rather uncomfortable for us Homo sapiens. But squash and pumpkins seem to thrive in the warmth and the humidity. The humidity keeps the leaves and soil moist, although the fog and dew in early morning do make prime breading weather for powdery mildew and the sort.

Temperatures are projected to soar into the mid 90's this weekend. I should have planted a stake by the end of a pumpkin vine to measure the growth after a few days. My guess is that it will be in feet, not inches.

I don't know how the squash can handle the 90+ degree heat in the blazing sun. As for me, I'll be like those hounds...looking for a good shade tree and a reliable breeze.